The Flickr Napalicoast Image Generatr

. . . while hiking the Na Pali Coast.

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One of the first views of the Na Pali coastline from our catamaran cruise.

It's hard to convey the height and size of the cliffs without something to provide a sense of scale. On the left side of the image is a white 65 ft catamaran with a 90 ft mast to provide that sense of scale.

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. . . of Kaua'i from a doors-off helicopter tour.

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Kauai, HI

. . . and Honopū Beach, also known as Cathedral Beach, on the Na Pali coast of Kaua'i.

The area is isolated and not easily accessible except by water. No landing of any helicopter or boat is allowed on Honopū beach, so visitors must swim from an offshore boat.

So, to capture this image I took a 4 1/2-hour evening/sunset catamaran cruise from Port Allen. We set sail on the 65 ft. catamaran where we had minimal ocean swells, low winds, warm temps and plenty of sun making for an enjoyable experience. Two hours into the cruise the Cathedrals came into view . . . I was like a kid in a candy shop . . . I was by the railing of the catamaran doing my best to fill up the previously empty memory card.

These massive cathedrals tower into the clouds along the Na Pali Coast of Kaua'i. These formations rise 4,000 feet above the ocean. Being the oldest island in Hawaii, the cliffs were created over five million years ago when molten lava was erupting from volcanic vents in the Pacific Ocean. The name Na Pali coast translates to 'The Cliffs', which is a fitting name for this rugged landscape.

Wikipedia:
"The area is hidden, isolated and is believed to be spiritual: it is a place of temples and burial grounds, and the source of multiple Hawaiian legends and myths. The burial site for the local chiefs was located on the surrounding cliffs. It was believed that once a chief died, his bones held a supernatural power, and if found by others they could be used against the chief's tribe. When chiefs died, their bones were collected and taken to the cliffs, and the warrior who transported the bones had cut his climbing rope, falling to his death, in order to ensure the secrecy of the location of the bones. The warrior's reward was that he would be reincarnated as a member of the royal family."

I had known going in, despite the work and planning up front, it can all be meaningless if mother nature doesn't cooperate. She cooperated . . . what an exhilarating time it was!

I have already gotten approval to print this image large on metal and hang it on the wall!!

The panorama is a stitch of 3 images.

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This shot is a little blurry because I was in the water when I took it. The waves were pushing me around a bit.

We had to hike the last mile to the Pu’u O Kila Lookout in Koke’e State Park as the road was in such bad shape it was closed to vehicle traffic. This is the panoramic view taken from the start of the Pihea Trail. The trail follows the rim of the Kalalau Valley along the Ka’a’alahina Ridge, seen on the left.

The ridge, is over 2 miles long, starting at an elevation of just under 3000 feet and drops down to sea level at the Na’pali coastline. If you continue down the Pihea Trail it will connect to the Alakai Swamp Trail, the highest elevation swamp in the world at around 4000 feet.

The hiker adds a needed sense of scale to the scene which is over 3 miles in wide. We had been up the day before and we were standing in a cloud and couldn’t see anything. It was worth the return trip.

This image is a stitch of 3 images to capture the width of the scene.

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Kauai

Napali coast just spectacular.
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The Awa'awapuhi trail, in Kokee State Park, leads you 3 miles to stunning views of the Na Pali Coast. Definitely worth the muddy trek.